Board of Directors PO Box 5882 Christopher Coes -- Washington DC 20016 Scott Davidson http://www.youthrights.org
[email protected] Laura Finstad Rich Jahn National Youth Rights Association Jason Kende Alex Koroknay-Palicz Johnathan McClure To: Federal Elections Commission Re: Rules regarding political contributions by minors Kathleen Miller Brad White In light of the December 10 Supreme Court's use of no uncertain terms in to strike down the Bi-Partisan Campaign Reform Act's provision that Board of Advisors individuals 17 and under were banned from political giving, the National Youth Rights Association urges a liberal interpretation of the rules Adam Fletcher when implementing the Court's ruling. To accommodate the decision Founder, Freechild.org in McConnell vs. FEC we believe the greatest deference must be paid David Hanson, Ph. D. to youth wanting to donate money to political campaigns and parties. Professor. State University ofNew York at Potsdam Specifically we recommend the following: 1. Minors 14-17 should be treated no differently from adults in the Bennett Haselton area of political donations. President. Peacefire 2. Minors between 7 and 14 should have an initial presumption of Grace Llewellyn capacity that is rebuttable. Author. "Teenage Liberation Handbook" 3. Minors 7 and under should have a rebuttable presumption of incapacity. Mike Males, Ph.D. 4. Minors should be able to donate from bank accounts where they Author. "Framing Youth" have full access to the funds, even if parents or guardians must Roderic Park, Ph. D. co-sign to open the account. Former chancellor. University ofColorado - If a hearing is scheduled, NYRA is interested in testifying.